A sign held during a February protest in Faribault. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo February 2026)
STANDING ON THE PROTEST LINE in Faribault nearly every Saturday morning for three months, I’ve felt uplifted and loved by other protesters. And I’ve felt tremendous support, too, from the majority of passing motorists who wave, give us the thumbs up and honk their horns.
But I’ve also witnessed outrage, raging anger, dangerous behavior and hostility directed at those of us who are peacefully protesting against the current regime, etc., in this country. Everyone, under the First Amendment, is entitled to their opinion. It’s OK to disagree with us. But, the level of animosity I see and hear is truly disheartening.
BULLYING BEHAVIOR
We, as protesters, expect some negativity to be directed at us. But when it becomes dangerous, such as guys in mammoth pick-up trucks driving dangerously close at a high rate of speed and rolling coal, that crosses the line. We all understand that they are trying to intimidate us, to silence our voices. It’s a tactic that comes down from the top. Bullying is as old as time itself. We won’t be bullied into silence.
DISTURBING BEHAVIOR
That brings me to one particular driver whose behavior on Saturday had two of my new protest friends and me asking, “Did you see that?” That was a dad who had rolled down his window to give us the middle finger and shout profanities at us, with his young child strapped in a car seat behind him. This proved the most disturbing behavior I’ve witnessed while protesting. Children mimic what they see and hear. And this dad was teaching his child hatred and disrespect toward others.
UNSUITABLE WORDS
That brings me to the president’s profanity-laced social media post on Easter Sunday. I won’t type his warning to Iran about the Strait of Hormuz because his message is not suited for a general audience. But suffice to say that his language is unsuitable for the office he holds. I often wonder how anyone can be OK with what he writes, says and does.
From my private collection, a peace dove painting on burlap by Jose Maria de Servin This shows only a portion of the artwork, which I purchased at a recycled art sale many years ago. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)
WORDS OF PEACE
Then there’s Pope Leo XIV, who delivered a message of peace on Easter, as one would expect of a world faith leader. “Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace,” the pontiff said. Amen to that. I am thankful for leaders like him who stand publicly strong for what is right and good and moral. Now if only Pope Leo could have a one-on-one with the president or that dad driving past our protest line, flipping the bird and shouting profanities at us as his child watched and listened.
An Easter-themed message on a church bulletin board. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted photo March 2026)
HAPPY EASTER, dear friends!
As a Christian, I celebrate the resurrection of Jesus today. Now, I could share one of the many photos I’ve taken of stained glass windows and other art to illustrate that event. But instead, I’ve chosen a photograph of a bulletin board display.
I spotted this display after attending “The Last Supper Drama” at St. John’s United Church of Christ, Wheeling Township, rural Faribault, on Palm Sunday. There it was, on a wall of the fellowship hall where we gathered for bars (a Minnesota word for sweet treats like brownies), refreshments and conversation.
The message is simple, to the point and relatable with a secular Easter twist. That twist being the sugary marshmallow Peeps loved by some and disliked by others (that would be me; I prefer chocolate).
But I definitely appreciate this clever message done in the mostly pastel hues of Easter. JESUS IS RISEN. TELL YOUR PEEPS.
This would make a great children’s object lesson during an Easter morning worship service. Print the message. Attach to a small box of Peeps and give it to the kiddos with the cautionary warning, “Wait until you get home to eat your Peeps.”
Have a joyful Easter with your peeps, everyone! He is risen! Alleluia!
This stained glass window of the women at Jesus’ empty tomb rises above the altar at Holden Lutheran Church, rural Kenyon, Minnesota.(Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)
EASTER SUNDAY MARKS a day of celebration among Christians as we rejoice in the resurrection of Jesus and the promise of eternal life.
My favorite Easter hymn. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)
It is a day of joyful song, of prayerful gratitude, of alleluias.
Eggs dyed with my mom many years ago.(Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)
It is a day, too, to gather with family over brunch or a ham dinner. It is a day to find Easter baskets and hidden eggs.
It is a day of memories made and memories remembered. It is a day of missing those loved ones no longer with us, but loving on those who are near or far.
The risen Lord centers the trio of stained glass windows above the altar at Trinity Lutheran Church, Wanamingo. (Minnesota Prairie Roots copyrighted file photo)
It is a day when the sun rises on a struggling world, where hope is needed now more than ever.
Have a blessed and joy-filled Easter, dear friends!
Minnesota Prairie Roots 
Observations from a southern Minnesota protest line April 6, 2026
Tags: bullying, commentary, disturbing behavior, Easter message, Faribault, language, Minnesota, opinion, peace, Pope Leo XIV, protest, protesting, words
STANDING ON THE PROTEST LINE in Faribault nearly every Saturday morning for three months, I’ve felt uplifted and loved by other protesters. And I’ve felt tremendous support, too, from the majority of passing motorists who wave, give us the thumbs up and honk their horns.
But I’ve also witnessed outrage, raging anger, dangerous behavior and hostility directed at those of us who are peacefully protesting against the current regime, etc., in this country. Everyone, under the First Amendment, is entitled to their opinion. It’s OK to disagree with us. But, the level of animosity I see and hear is truly disheartening.
BULLYING BEHAVIOR
We, as protesters, expect some negativity to be directed at us. But when it becomes dangerous, such as guys in mammoth pick-up trucks driving dangerously close at a high rate of speed and rolling coal, that crosses the line. We all understand that they are trying to intimidate us, to silence our voices. It’s a tactic that comes down from the top. Bullying is as old as time itself. We won’t be bullied into silence.
DISTURBING BEHAVIOR
That brings me to one particular driver whose behavior on Saturday had two of my new protest friends and me asking, “Did you see that?” That was a dad who had rolled down his window to give us the middle finger and shout profanities at us, with his young child strapped in a car seat behind him. This proved the most disturbing behavior I’ve witnessed while protesting. Children mimic what they see and hear. And this dad was teaching his child hatred and disrespect toward others.
UNSUITABLE WORDS
That brings me to the president’s profanity-laced social media post on Easter Sunday. I won’t type his warning to Iran about the Strait of Hormuz because his message is not suited for a general audience. But suffice to say that his language is unsuitable for the office he holds. I often wonder how anyone can be OK with what he writes, says and does.
WORDS OF PEACE
Then there’s Pope Leo XIV, who delivered a message of peace on Easter, as one would expect of a world faith leader. “Let those who have the power to unleash wars choose peace,” the pontiff said. Amen to that. I am thankful for leaders like him who stand publicly strong for what is right and good and moral. Now if only Pope Leo could have a one-on-one with the president or that dad driving past our protest line, flipping the bird and shouting profanities at us as his child watched and listened.
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FYI: I encourage you to click here and read a recent article published in The Daily Yonder about No Kings Day 3 protests in three southern Minnesota communities, including Faribault. The well-written story offers insights into protesting and opinions in rural America.
© Copyright 2026 Audrey Kletscher Helbling